Mark McDonald, who left the SNP after admitting inappropriate behaviour towards women, faced the media at parliamentTIMES PHOTOGRAPHER JAMES GLOSSOP

Holyrood’s new independent MSP arrived at parliament after a four-month absence yesterday and insisted he should be given a second chance because he had not committed any criminal offences.

Despite widespread opposition to his presence, Mark McDonald, the shamed former childcare minister, appealed to colleagues to give him the opportunity for rehabilitation after an investigation found that he pestered women in the parliament and abused his position.

The Aberdeen Donside MSP said that he would not stand down from parliament even though he had quit the SNP. Five years ago, Mr McDonald signed a motion calling on Bill Walker, a convicted wife beater who was also an SNP MSP, to leave parliament.